The case for diversity in the health care workforce

JJ Cohen, BA Gabriel, C Terrell - Health affairs, 2002 - healthaffairs.org
JJ Cohen, BA Gabriel, C Terrell
Health affairs, 2002healthaffairs.org
Increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the health care workforce is essential for the
adequate provision of culturally competent care to our nation's burgeoning minority
communities. A diverse health care workforce will help to expand health care access for the
underserved, foster research in neglected areas of societal need, and enrich the pool of
managers and policymakers to meet the needs of a diverse populace. The long-term
solution to achieving adequate diversity in the health professions depends upon …
Increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the health care workforce is essential for the adequate provision of culturally competent care to our nation’s burgeoning minority communities. A diverse health care workforce will help to expand health care access for the underserved, foster research in neglected areas of societal need, and enrich the pool of managers and policymakers to meet the needs of a diverse populace. The long-term solution to achieving adequate diversity in the health professions depends upon fundamental reforms of our country’s precollege education system. Until these reforms occur, affirmative action tools in health professions schools are critical to achieving a diverse health care workforce.
Health Affairs